| "> | | | | Eliminating rooms and hallways and conjoining popular |
| You know you want to do something to your home, | | | | living areas can really add to the livability of a home. |
| but what? What makes sense in today's economy? | | | | 5) Convert a home for handicap accessibility: More |
| What would have the biggest benefit and perhaps | | | | people are doing this as the population ages. Making |
| create the most extra value? | | | | homes accessible to the handicap will make the home |
| In good economies or poor, the types of home | | | | more marketable and potentially worth more. |
| improvements people make change very little. What | | | | 6) Energy efficiency, insulation, and greening up the |
| does change is whether or not they move ahead and | | | | home: Lowering your recurring energy bill expenses |
| how many of the projects they decide to do. | | | | add to your comfort, peace of mind, and your homes |
| What is a Home Improvement? | | | | value. |
| I focus on remodels or home improvements in this | | | | 7) Adding curb appeal with an exterior make-over: |
| article rather than a home addition. While all home | | | | This can be a more expensive project but by changing |
| additions are home improvements, not all home | | | | the siding, window framings, roofline, and landscaping, |
| improvements are home additions. That's an important | | | | you can make a dramatic and profitable upgrade to |
| distinction. | | | | the look of your home. |
| With a home improvement or remodel, we're typically | | | | 8) Restoring historical homes to their original look: |
| not talking about adding square footage, foundation, or | | | | There are times when government grants can help |
| roofline to the home. You would be working within the | | | | with this project. This project can be very rewarding |
| confines of the existing exterior walls and under the | | | | and offer a uniqueness that you may not otherwise be |
| same roof. I discuss home additions in other articles. | | | | able to achieve. |
| The Most Popular Home Remodeling Projects | | | | 9) Remodeling and finishing off the basement: Often |
| To help you decide, here is a list of the ten most | | | | this is a pretty cost effective way to add square |
| widely popular home improvements today. Ultimately, | | | | footage to your home. It doesn't require more |
| you will decide based upon your specific needs. Use | | | | foundation or roofline. It's a very popular remodel in |
| this list for ideas and inspiration. Please note that they | | | | certain areas and markets. |
| are in no specific order. You should base your | | | | 10) To improve the quality and luxury of the home: This |
| decisions on your own personal desires and needs. | | | | is similar to the first item concerning modernizing the |
| 1) To modernize your home for your enjoyment or | | | | home. The difference here is that with this reason for |
| resale: Homes become out of date in a few years. | | | | remodeling, you're looking more for specific design and |
| Carpeting, wallpaper, countertops, fixtures, appliances, | | | | taste to move into something spectacular rather than |
| cabinets, lighting, and other finishing materials can | | | | away from something unsatisfactory. |
| become old and outdated. | | | | Get Professional Help & Don't Overdo It |
| 2) To improve the looks and functionality of the | | | | Remember, it's all your goals. Why do *you* want to |
| kitchen: This very popular remodel is a very practical | | | | remodel? What's in if for you? Any of these ideas |
| one. Kitchens are central to the home and it's more | | | | could be reason enough move forward in today's |
| about creating conveniences than adding luxury. | | | | economy. Home building and remodeling coaches and |
| 3) To revitalize a tired old bathroom: Often bathrooms | | | | other professionals can help you with the costs of |
| are too small for the latest styles of tubs and showers. | | | | your project. Know why you want to complete the |
| Bathrooms (as well as kitchens) tend to provide the | | | | project and stick with your plan. Don't be frivolous in a |
| biggest bang for your buck when trying to build equity | | | | tougher economy. |
| in your home. | | | | The most beneficial advice I can give is to keep |
| 4) To improve the feel and flow of the home: Many | | | | informed, improve your knowledge, seek out good |
| older and smaller homes are too cut up and crowded. | | | | professionals and ask a ton of questions. |